The most cited journal article in the world is the paper titled "Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent" by Oliver H. Lowry and his colleagues, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry in 1951. This foundational paper introduced a widely adopted method for accurately measuring protein concentration, a ubiquitous task in biochemical research.
The Landmark Publication
This seminal work, often simply referred to as the "Lowry assay," revolutionized laboratory practices by providing a reliable and sensitive technique to quantify proteins in biological samples. Its development addressed a critical need in biochemistry, enabling countless experiments and discoveries across various scientific disciplines.
Key Details of the Most Cited Article
The table below provides the essential citation details for this highly influential publication:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent |
| Authors | Oliver H. Lowry, Nira J. Rosebrough, A. Lewis Farr, and Rose J. Randall |
| Journal | Journal of Biological Chemistry |
| Year | 1951 |
| Volume | 193 |
| Pages | 265-275 |
| Purpose | Describes a spectrophotometric method for measuring the concentration of proteins in a solution. |
Why the Lowry Assay Became So Popular
The extraordinary citation count of the Lowry paper—reaching hundreds of thousands of citations—stems from several key factors that made its method indispensable to researchers:
- Simplicity and Accessibility: The assay was relatively easy to perform with standard laboratory equipment, making it accessible to a wide range of researchers, even those without highly specialized facilities.
- Reliability and Sensitivity: It offered a robust and sensitive method for protein quantification, providing consistent results that researchers could trust for their experiments.
- Fundamental Importance: Measuring protein concentration is a basic and essential step in nearly all biochemical, molecular biology, and cell biology studies. Before proceeding with many experiments, researchers often need to know the exact amount of protein they are working with.
- Broad Applicability: The method could be applied to diverse sample types and experimental contexts, from enzyme assays to protein purification and analysis.
- Standard Reference: For decades, the Lowry assay served as the benchmark for protein quantification, meaning researchers would cite the original paper every time they used or referenced the method in their publications.
Impact and Legacy in Scientific Research
The immense influence of the Lowry paper highlights how a single methodological advancement can profoundly shape scientific progress. Its enduring legacy is a testament to the power of a practical, accurate, and widely applicable tool. While newer, faster, or more sensitive protein assays have since been developed (such as the Bradford assay or BCA assay), the Lowry method laid critical groundwork and continues to be recognized for its historical and practical significance in biochemistry. The paper's unparalleled citation record underscores its role as a fundamental pillar in the experimental toolkit of biological sciences.
Understanding Citation Impact
The number of times a scientific paper is cited by other researchers serves as a key indicator of its influence and utility within the scientific community. A high citation count suggests that the research is widely used, built upon, or critically discussed by subsequent studies. The Lowry paper's status as the most cited article globally reflects its foundational contribution to scientific methodology and its pervasive presence in laboratory work for decades.
